We supported the Micronutrient Initiative (MI) to implement a nutrition programme in Jigawa, Kano, Katsina, Yobe and Zamfara states. With funding support from the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), we delivered large scale iron and folic acid supplementation to pregnant women. Additionally, we provided zinc lo-ORS medication to support the treatment and prevention of diarrhoea in under-five children. We reached over 18 million people in five northern states of Nigeria, namely Zamfara, Katsina, Jigawa, Kano and Yobe states. We used a health system approach by working with and through government health systems, community groups, and the private sector to revise relevant policies, strengthen service delivery and mobilise communities.
Micronutrient Initiative and Partnership for Reviving Routine Immunization in Northern Nigeria / Maternal Newborn and Child Health(PRRINN-MNCH) collaborated to implement ZIFAS project which was managed by Health Partners International (now DAI – Development Alternatives International) through NHED and covered the 4 Northern States being supported by PRRINN-MNCH since the 1st of December, 2012. The objective of ZIFAS project was to increase the coverage and quality of Antenatal Care using low dose IFAS to reduce pregnancy-related illnesses and deaths resulting from anaemia in pregnancy; it was also to increase the coverage and quality of diarrhoea treatment and prevention in under five-year-old children using zinc and low ORS and other preventive strategies. Phase 2 of the program started in September, 2013 with focus trainings, facilitating activities to take delivery of IFAS that was procured in Phase 1 and the distribution and use of ZIFAS commodities, using appropriate SBCC strategies to mobilise communities and policy makers; other activities carried out included support to institutionalise the systems that will sustain the gains from the project and to track progress towards achieving the log frame indicators.
